Do your Illuminas Make Noise?

Prophecy99 · 01-16-2008, 07:22 AM

Just wondering how many people have had their Tokico Illuminas make noises such as metal clanks and such when hitting certain bumps in certain ways.
Do I have a problem if I can hear slight metal knocks when the struts compress.
IE a large speed bump would make some make that metal clank noise, but a ditch or contour in the in the highway wouldnt produce any noises out of ordinary.

Prophecy99 · 01-16-2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armon

I'm hearing a strange sound when I go over a "dip" that causes the rear end to compress. The sound is hard to describe, but it sounds like metal scraping metal. Almost a squeaking sound. Only happens when the shocks compress, and only one of them is making noise. It even happened once when I went over a speed bump. What are the culprits? Should I turn up the rear stiffness to prevent it?

I can relate to this... very closely except I have about 8-9K miles on them.
I went on some harsher road conditions and they seem noisier now after the treacherous roads.

Blackmax1924 · 01-16-2008, 12:43 PM

I drive on really bad roads here in Mass daily and Ive never had any noise complaints with my illumnias besides when I got hit on the rear side right where the illumnias are and they got knocked out of place.

**Matt93SE** · 01-16-2008, 01:01 PM

have you checked the condition of your strut mounts and made sure the nut holding the strut into the mount is properly tightened?

Prophecy99 · 01-16-2008, 01:03 PM

I was driving in ME and mountain roads in NH another way to describe the noise is...a squeaky bed spring....

I will check them...but...from what I know they are tight as can be...
would treacherous conditions make those nuts loosen?

**Matt93SE** · 01-16-2008, 01:24 PM

generally no, but if the mounts themselves are going south (the rubber insulator part is breaking up), then it'll get worse with age and driving.

**max95q** · 01-20-2008, 08:05 AM

My driver side does make noise but I think its clearly because of the mount on it. Because none of the others make noises at all. Still performs though.

njmaxseltd · 02-23-2008, 07:45 AM

I've got about 80K on my Illuminas. First run with H&R's, I've been back at the stock ride height for over a year now. Both front Illuminas make a slight klunk heard at slow speeds -20mph. The car rides perfect, great ride control and you can't hear anything once your up to speed. Set on 4 or higher the noise is gone.
I took the whole strut apart to test the struts, also replaced the mounts and checked all the ball joints and bushings on the front end. Everything is tight.
Called Tokico and asked about warranty info... yea that went well.
I'll be replacing the front struts in the spring, not sure if I'll go Illumina again or Blues.

**irish44j** · 02-23-2008, 10:12 PM

never had any clunks, but when it's really cold out and I start driving and hit a speed bump while the car is still "cold" I get a crunchy noise - though I think that might be the rubber in the upper spring seat binding rather than a strut issue....

MrDicks95SE · 02-26-2008, 12:56 AM

mine went clunk when it blew out but other than that most other noises are from the either worn down strut bearing or spring turning.

playboi21617 · 03-02-2008, 06:32 PM

Nope i only hear a noise when i turn the wheel you can hear the spring turn in the spring plate. and my car pulls really hard to the right and left depending how it feel like there is a 100 mph wind gust.

Luquire · 03-05-2008, 09:23 AM

Mine makes the squeaky sound when I make a right turn. It is coming from the rear passenger. I generally only hear it in winter and since I live in Texas I just tolerate it for 3-4 months until it warms up again.

**Matt93SE** · 03-07-2008, 09:16 AM

Matt, I wonder if that sound is from the poly filled beam bushings?

mooseq30 · 03-29-2008, 09:51 PM

my springs make tiny bit of noise some times when under major stress but my illuminas are perfect, adjust in a sec and work great, i use them on 2 most of the time and 3 when i know I'm going to be on some soft nice roads, 4 and 5 are for the track only!

*maxgtr2000* · 03-30-2008, 09:24 AM

Are you sure it's not the springs making the noise? My springs started making noise and found out whatever coating they used on them started wearing out, but you can see if it is wore out by jacking the car up and checking inbetween the top 3 springs.

NewfoundlandDud · 03-30-2008, 11:15 AM

Hey guys,

It seems that you guys have a lot of knowledge about the Illumina struts, so I thought that I would post here and try to get a little bit of help.
I don't mean to jack the thread, so you guys can reply by pm if you want.

A guy offered to sell me an Illumina/Progress setup, but he told me that they were riding very rough and low after 5-10K miles. He also said that the adjustment on one of the rears is destroyed.

I'd very much appreciate some guidance/opinions about whether I should take a chance on these, or whether I can fix the destroyed rear adjustment?
The thread is located here:
WTB: Illumina's + Progress Springs

Again, and guidance or help would be greatly appreciated either by pm, e-mail, or whatever. Sorry for posting in the thread, but it seems that you guys know what you're talking about.

Thanks.